Winter

The Mont-Blanc Region (France & Italy)

From Vallorcine, a peaceful village nestled at the entrance of the Aiguilles Rouges mountain range to the bottom of the Aiguillette des Houches, we will enjoy first two beautiful day hikes with panoramic views over the Mont-Blanc range.

The three others days, your mountain guide will lead you on the snowy path of the Aosta Valley, a perfect terrain for snowshoeing. Facing the impressive Southern face of Mont-Blanc, we will hike up threw the larch forest to reach quiet and traditional alpine pastures.

Day 1 : Bérard - Loriaz mountain hut - Le Buet Elevation gain : 2 460ft - Loss: 2 460ft.Our day starts with a hike into the Vallon de Bérard, a haven site for chamois and other mountain animals. After a hike up to la Tête des Combasses, we will continue our hike through the hamlet of les Granges before reaching the authentic Loriaz refuge. The view slowly opens up to an incredible panoramic view over the nearby Swiss peaks. After the contemplation of the summits we are facing and a coffee, it is time for us to head back to the hamlet of le Buet. On the way down, we are following a nice trail through a beautiful spruce forest.

A bus transfer bring us to the Hôtel les Campanules in les Houches, where our hike will start the next day.

Day 2 : Le Bettey– Chalets de Chailloux Elevation gain : 2 1300ft - Loss: 2 130ft.From the hamlet of Bettey, over our Hôtel, we hike up threw a spruce forest. Above us, the Mont-Blanc range fill up the frame: it is a festival of peak, glaciers and moraines. We will discover on the way down, beautiful old pasture chalet with an amazing view.

Day 3 : Les OrsElevation gain : 2 130ft - Loss: 2 130ft.Transfer to the Aosta Valley. We start this day with a hike up through the “Mélézin”, a bright larch forest, typical of this high alpine valley. On the way up, trees are starting to be rare, their shape are a testimony of the hard climatic condition they are enduring. We finally arrive to the Ors pasture, a wild space devoid of any human print with an outstanding view on the Gran Paradiso range.

Day 4 : Mont Cour de Bard– pointe FetitaElevation gain : 2 015ft - Loss: 2 015ft.The way up to the Col de Bard is offering us nice views on the surroundings peaks and pastures. From the pass, we are walking on a beautiful rounded section over the Vertosan valley to the summit of the Court du Bard (2261m). The view is remarkable, from the Grand Paradiso range to the Mont Blanc.

Day 5 : Val d’ArpyElevation gain : 1 345ft - Loss: 1 345ft.Busy during the summer, the small Arpy lake in winter is an peaceful and icy desert. Nothing here seems to resist to the winter and his weather. If you look carefully, you will find many signs of life though, like foot prints of mountain hare and foxes. Under the ice you will also discovered the winter life of alpine newt and red frogs.

If the conditions are good we can keep walking up to the Col de la Croix to contemplate the impressive Southern face of Mont Blanc.

Important : Guides and leaders may have to adapt program and hiking route to weather/terrain conditions and according to group hiking skills.

LEVEL 3/5 : Moderate trek. For active people who does not mind training to prepare for the hike.Multi-day snowshoe hike for people with trekking experience.5 to 6-hour hike with average vertical gain between 1 640 ft. and 2 300 ft.Snowshoe hikes on steeper terrain. Prior experience recommended.

ACCOMMODATION : Night 1 and 2 in the Hôtel Les Campanules (Les Houches) in twin or double room. The night 3 and 4 in an Italian inn, in twin or double room.

GUIDING : Each mountain leader guides groups of 5 (min) to 8 people (max). The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix's guiding policy is one of the most restrictive in the mountain guiding industry.Important : no booking accepted in our scheduled groups for people under the age of 18 without a guardian.

MEETING PLACE :9.30am at the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, 190 place de l'église. 74400 Chamonix.You are welcome to come and meet your guide the evening before at our office at 6 pm.

INSURANCE :Repatriation insurance is mandatory. Repatriation and cancellation insurance are available from our office. We strongly recommend the purchase of cancellation insurance. Individual insurance cover for mountain activities is also recommended as a complementary insurance.

If you already have a group we can organize for you a private tour with your own mountain leader !

ADVANTAGES :- Exclusive guideA more individualized relationship between your group and the professional.

- Choose your date of departureYou can choose your date of departure within the limit of the hut availabilities.

- Flexibility all along the tripDepending on weather conditions, your level and your expectations, the guide can suggest you some different options of itinerary.